ESSEX County Council has renewed its contract with Backing Essex Business for a third year. The service offers 12 hours of free and impartial support to local entrepreneurs.

Delivered by Let’s Do Business Group and funded by Essex County Council, Backing Essex Business offers a range of tailored support. This includes advice on funding, marketing and strategic planning. Businesses can also access finance, training, mentoring and networking events.

The service has already supported 844 businesses across technology, fashion, hospitality and more. This has helped to safeguard 737 Essex jobs.

This year, Backing Essex Business will launch new training programmes and sector-specific events. It will also continue to offer its successful Group2Grow Peer Network Programme.

Councillor Tom Cunningham, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Planning a Growing Economy, said: “Backing Essex Business has played an essential role in levelling up the local economy for two years.

“We are continually impressed by their expertise across the private and public sectors. They are also experts at offering bespoke services to meet the diverse needs of our businesses.

“We look forward to hearing more success stories over the coming year.”
Andy Turner, Director of Services at Backing Essex Business, added: “We are delighted to have secured this extension to the original two-year contact.

“This is a solid endorsement of all we’ve delivered across a range of business support challenges. We are ready and geared up to help more Essex businesses in the next 12 months.”

Michael Wadham is the founder of The Big Green Internet Ltd. He has accessed support from Backing Essex Business over the past year. He said: “The support received was really useful. It was great to get opinions from outside of my industry and organisation.

“When you work on your own, you don’t have a board of directors to consult. Being able to call an expert and receive impartial and honest advice is invaluable.”

Visit the Backing Essex Business website to learn more about its resources and access support.